Intro: Steampunk Mr. Potato Head

Spudnik, as I call him, was a project that was inspired by a craft swap project. Designers and crafters alike randomly were paired with a different theme and a material. My theme was "steampunk" and my material was "old toy." Every project was open for interpretation. I went to the Chelsea Flea Market in Manhattan to find some vintage toys. There were so many to choose from, but I soon realized that picking up an already aged and gritty toy would take the fun out of making something look steampunk. This is how I arrived at Target with a Mr. Potato Head in my hand.

im building a steampunk cyborg buzz lightyear right now, it was mine that i used to play with when i was little, and then my brother played with it roughly, and its half broken, so that will be the robot side........

i am working on one i love this instructible great job

Awesome. I can't wait to see it! Take Pics!

this was my effort at it. The top hat was done with an aluminum sheet duct taped into a tube and glued to the original mr potato-head bowler. The eyes and mustache were made from sculpy. The forklift arm is made from the legs of a robot action-figure and there are pipes on the back made from dead batteries of different sizes

Very cool! Awesome use of creativity and resources from around the house!

Wow that is absolutely amazing! But even more cool is how you made that potatoe head thingy into some steamy robot thingy =D<br>Love the details, now it only needs some steam coming out of that tube.

This is amazing! We used to use a real potato for Mr Potato Head, and the all-plastic version always seemed a bit... well, plastic. You've taken it to a whole new level- inspirational!!

Hey guys and gals! I just posted my 2nd Steampunk Toy tutorial. If you enjoyed the tutorial please, vote for me in the Epilog contest or the Holiday Gift Contest. I would love your support. I could use that Laser cutter to make more art and craft projects for you! Thanks again!<br><br>For tutorial, view here:<br>http://www.instructables.com/id/Steampunk-Explorer-Toy-Set-Telescope-and-Steampun/

Awesome. My daughter collects Mr Potato heads and this gave me the inspiration needed to build her one for her birthday that she won't find in any store. Being a computer junky my version ended up being a bit robotic looking and is a functional USB hub with light, fan, and mp3 player. I was unable to get the cool antique brass/gold color you achieved mixing the paints listed, so I bought antique gold and applied it lightly over the final color. Unfortunately doing so I lost the steampunk affect. Next one I'll use the gold direct over black. Thanks for the inspiration and great instructions.<br><br>

Awesome! I love the creativity!

Amazing! I don't know what to say, but clearly I need to comment.

the only problem is the potato head had to go through extensive surgery :S lol

It'd be worth all the pain if I could look that cool...

This is beyond awesome... Imagination and talent, I think you could make these and sell them and pretty much name your price. Looking forward to your next creation :).

What was used to make the mustache and monocle?

I used Premo Sculpey.

Awesome!!!

This is absolutely amazing. I'm always impressed when somebody builds up some incredibly intricate, complex thing from a bunch of unrelated bits and bobs;&nbsp; thanks for posting all the in progress pictures.&nbsp; I wish I had the ability to do this sort of thing. Unfortunately, it's not my forte. So I'm always happy to see somebody else did all the hard work and I can just enjoy it :)<br>

I am no fan of steampunk whatsoever, but dude this dirty as hell

This makes me laugh so much. Spudnik looks hot!!

I generally don't go for steampunk, but this is amazing. Potato Head robot of doom? Hell yes. Good work. :-)